Tribune Archive: Ex-Hawk, Wing Probert wants title drought to end

May 19, 2009|By David Haugh | Tribune staff reporter

A funny thing happened to one of the toughest Red Wings ever while he was watching Game 1 on Sunday. He developed a soft spot for their opponent.

"I was rooting for the Blackhawks," Bob Probert admitted Monday in a phone interview from his home in Windsor, Ontario. Relax, macho men of Motown. Hockey's former heavyweight champion isn't trying to pick a fight if you see him signing autographs Tuesday night outside Joe Louis Arena -- though what sober soul is going to argue with Probert over his hockey allegiances?

Given his tenure with the Blackhawks from 1995-2002, Probert simply thinks 48 years has been long enough for Chicago to wait between Stanley Cup titles.

"I'm partial to Chicago because it's been since 1961, wow," Probert said. "So I'd love to see that happen. It's a great hockey city. They deserve one. In Detroit, it's not as big of a deal if they win because they just won."

Such sentiments from Probert might feel like a right hook to the cheek to some diehard Red Wings fans. Consider that Probert spent his first nine NHL seasons in Detroit, from 1985-94, developing a reputation as one of the game's fiercest enforcers.

Yes, that is Probert in Red Wings colors on the cover of the book he wrote with former Detroit teammate Joey Kocur titled "Bruise Brothers." It isn't about his days on West Madison.

Probert's dual-sports citizenship status in Chicago and Detroit makes him one of many men who have represented professional sports teams in both cities, joining a list that includes Probert's former Blackhawk teammate and Game 1 hero Dan Cleary of the Red Wings.

Asked whether sports fans in Detroit or Chicago would come down harder on a star player such as Patrick Kane, who didn't have a shot on goal Sunday, Probert showed diplomacy that never was his strong suit as a player.

"Whatever city Kane would be in would be tough on him [Monday] because such big things are expected of him -- that's sports today," said Probert, 43. "But I can say there are a lot of similarities between Chicago and Detroit because both are great cities for hockey. Unfortunately in Chicago it was huge when I first got there, then we started to lose more and it got to the point where it was not a lot of fun to play there."

Probert was on the last Blackhawks team to make the Western Conference Finals in 1995 -- also against the Red Wings -- but he couldn't play because of a season-long suspension for violating the league's substance-abuse policy. He joined the team in 1994 when the Wings declined to offer him a contract after he crashed his motorcycle with his blood-alcohol level well beyond the legal limit.

The Blackhawks grew tired of Probert's issues, just as the Wings had. But Probert has reconciled with both Original 6 organizations.

He plays for the Red Wings alumni team and was honored by the Blackhawks in February. Appropriately, rather than having Probert drop the puck between opposing captains, Probert dropped it between players leading their teams in penalty minutes.

All told, Probert retired in 2002 having amassed 3,300 penalty minutes in 935 games and with 285 fights -- 176-50-59 -- compared to 162 goals. He doesn't know if he could sustain his style of hockey if he played now.

"It'd be tough because the game is so much faster and it's tough to do both jobs like a heavyweight has to," Probert said.

In retirement, you might say Probert has gotten in touch with his inner goon.

His book, ghost-written by hockey columnist Bob Duff, includes introspective, touching passages about the impact of losing his father, Al, an ex-police officer in Windsor, Ontario, when he was just 17. "They called me a hockey policeman and like my dad, I enjoyed that role," Probert writes.

Now a father of four, Probert plays hockey once a week in a league that prohibits hitting and fighting. The biggest battle comes against his instincts.

"It's easier on the body but that part can be hard to resist," Probert said.

He also felt the tug toward community service and has made two humanitarian trips to meet U.S. and Canadian troops in Afghanistan as part of an NHL Alumni tour. A rocket shot at a military base he was visiting made for an unforgettable first visit, but the camaraderie created by playing street hockey against soldiers made a lasting impression.

"To be able to put smiles on their faces is something I'll never forget," Probert said.

Game 1 aside, he still expects a memorable series that is bound to include some valuable lessons for a young Hawks team being built similarly to the Wings.

"Right now the Blackhawks are still learning and Sunday just shows the type of experience Detroit has in these type of situations," Probert said. "Rocky [Wirtz] has done a heck of a job getting the right people to turn things around.

"If this isn't the Hawks' year, you can count on them being on top for at least the next couple of years."

You also can count on Probert cheering them every step of the climb, just as he was Sunday.